Decorative floral ornament, arrangement containing same, and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A decorative floral ornament includes a hollow tubular main stem having opposed base and upper ends. The ornament also includes a head, attached to the upper end of the main stem and formed from plural interconnected tubular segments. The head is attached to the main stem at a central hub, which has a plurality of primary segments extending outwardly therefrom. An outer edge portion of the head includes a plurality of secondary segments interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments. The ornament also includes a flexible filament extending through, and interconnecting the head and the main stem. In general, the head includes at least three primary segments, with distal ends thereof interconnected by secondary segments, and all of the segments connected together by the elastic filament. The central hub is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments are connected together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a decorative floral ornament, to a method of arranging a plurality of the ornaments in a container, and to an arrangement including a plurality of such ornaments displayed in a container.

2. Description of the Background Art

Although cut flowers are beautiful and are used by many to decorate interiors of homes and businesses, the ephemeral and temporary nature of these plants makes it necessary to remove them after a relatively short time. Artificial flowers may also be decorative, but other options are also helpful.

Many different types of decorative floral ornaments are known. Although the known floral ornaments are usable for their intended decorative purposes, a need still exists for new decorative floral ornaments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A decorative floral ornament according to a first illustrative embodiment of the invention includes a hollow tubular main stem having opposed base and upper ends.

The ornament also includes a head, attached to the upper end of the main stem and formed from plural interconnected tubular segments. The head has a central hub attached to the main stem, with a plurality of primary segments extending outwardly therefrom. The primary segments may be arranged radially around the central hub, or alternatively, may diverge from the hub in a non-radial arrangement. An outer edge portion of the head includes a plurality of secondary segments interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments.

The ornament also includes a flexible filament extending through, and interconnecting all segments of the head and the main stem. The head includes at least three primary segments, with distal ends thereof interconnected by secondary segments, and with all of the segments connected together by the elastic filament. The central hub is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments are connected together.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a decorative floral ornament according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is detail view of a top portion of the floral ornament of FIG. 1, with an internal filament shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing two additional decorative floral ornaments, which are modified versions of the ornament according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a decorative floral ornament according to a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a decorative floral ornament according to a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing twelve different embodiments of decorative floral ornaments, many of which are modified versions of the ornament according to the first embodiment; and.

FIG. 7 is an environmental perspective view showing an arrangement of several decorative floral ornaments in a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a decorative floral ornament, according to a first embodiment of the invention, is shown generally at 20, and defines a minimized outline of an abstract floral shape. The ornament 20 is formed primarily from hollow tubular segments interconnected by one or more flexible filaments extending between and connecting the segments, as will be further described herein. The tubular segments may be formed from metal or plastic, and may be colored to have any desired appearance. In general, segments of a single selected color are used to make a single ornament 20, although this may be varied, if desired. Where metal segments are used, they may have an appearance resembling steel, copper or brass.

The ornament 20 includes a hollow tubular main stem 22 having opposed base and upper ends 24, 26, respectively. The ornament 20 also includes a head 30, attached to the upper end of the main stem 22, and formed from multiple interconnected tubular segments, as further described herein. The head 30 is attached to the main stem 22 at a central hub 32, which has a plurality of primary segments 34 extending outwardly therefrom. The central hub 32 is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments 34 are connected together.

In this first embodiment, the head 30 is formed in a shape similar to a spoked wheel, as shown, with the primary segments 34 extending radially outwardly from the central hub 32.

An outer edge portion 36 of the head 30 includes a plurality of secondary segments 38 interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the distal ends of each pair of adjacent primary segments 34, 34 are connected by two secondary segments 38 extending therebetween and arranged to define an obtuse angle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ornament 20 also includes a flexible filament 40 extending through, and interconnecting all of the tubular segments of the head 30 and the main stem 22. The material used for the flexible filament 40 should be relatively durable, and may be a resiliently stretchable filament. Alternatively, the flexible filament 40 may be formed of a strong, tough rubber or elastomeric material. The flexible filament 40 is significantly smaller in diameter than the hollow segment which surrounds it, as shown in FIG. 2. As an alternative to the stretchable elastic material described above for the flexible filament 40, some or all of the segments of the ornament 20 may be interconnected by a flexible but relatively non-stretchable plastic filament, similar to a relatively heavy gauge monofilament fishing line.

Second and Third Modified Embodiments Referring now to FIG. 3, two additional decorative floral ornaments, which are modified versions of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, are shown generally at 50 and 70.

The basic structure of the second embodiment 50 is similar to that described above in connection with the first embodiment 20, with a single secondary segment 34 extending linearly between distal ends of adjacent primary segments 34, and also with the addition of a pair of tertiary segments 39 extending outwardly from each point of connection between the primary and secondary segments 34, 38.

Selected tertiary segments 39 are connected together at the distal ends thereof, as shown, to form a series of triangular shapes extending peripherally around the head and forming a corona 52 surrounding the head 30.

The basic structure of the third embodiment 70 is similar to that described above in connection with the first embodiment 20, with the variation that a series of five secondary segments 72 extend between distal ends of adjacent primary segments 34, to create an edge portion that appears to be more rounded than in the first embodiment 20.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 4, a decorative floral ornament, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, is shown generally at 120, and defines a minimized outline of an abstract floral shape. The ornament 120, according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, includes a hollow tubular main stem 122 having opposed base and upper ends 124, 126, respectively. The ornament 120 also includes a head 130, attached to the upper end of the main stem 122, and formed from multiple interconnected tubular segments, as further described herein. The head 130 is attached to the main stem 122 at a central hub 132, which has a plurality of primary segments 134 extending outwardly therefrom. The central hub 132 is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments 134 are connected together.

An outer peripheral edge portion of the head 130 includes a plurality of secondary segments 138 interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments 134. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the secondary segments 138 form a series of four triangles at the outer ends of the primary segments 134.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 also includes a plurality of tertiary segments 139 attached to the primary segments 134 as well as the secondary segments 138, where selected tertiary segments are connected together at the distal ends thereof to form a series of pyramidal shapes.

The ornament 120 according to the second embodiment also includes a flexible filament (not shown, but similar to the filament 40 shown in FIG. 2). The filament extends through, and interconnects all of the tubular segments of the head 130 and the main stem 122. The material used for the flexible filament is the same material discussed above in connection with the first embodiment. The flexible filament 40 is significantly smaller in diameter than the hollow segment which surrounds it, as shown in FIG. 2.

Additional variations on these designs are shown in the other drawing FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition to the shapes shown, other configurations may be made to resemble specific natural flowers, such as for example, tulips, dandelions, iris, and daffodils.

Arrangement

Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, a decorative arrangement of floral ornaments is shown generally at 80. The arrangement 80 includes a container 82, a substrate 84 disposed in the container, and a plurality of decorative floral ornaments 50, 70, 90 and 120 according to the present invention, the ornaments arranged with their bases inserted in the substrate. The substrate used may be any material suitable for placement in the container and for supporting the ornaments therein.

Method of Assembling Arrangement

The present invention also relates to a method of assembling an arrangement of decorative floral ornaments in a container having an opening at an upper end thereof.

The method includes a first step of placing a substrate 84 inside of the container 82 via the opening at the top of the container.

The method also includes a second step of inserting a base 34 of a main stem 22 of a first decorative floral ornament 20 according the invention in the substrate 84, in a manner such that the first decorative floral ornament becomes fixed in position in relation to the container.

The method also includes a third step of inserting a base 124 of a main stem 122 of a second decorative floral ornament 120 according the invention in the substrate 84 in a manner such that the second decorative floral ornament becomes fixed in position in relation to the container.

Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to a number of specific illustrative embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of the illustrative embodiment could be made which would be operable. All such modifications, which are within the appended claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A decorative floral ornament comprising: a main stem which is a hollow tube formed from metal or plastic, the main stem having a base end and an upper end; a head attached to the upper end of the main stem, the head formed from a plurality of interconnected tubular segments and comprising a central hub defining a point of attachment to the main stem, a plurality of primary segments extending outwardly from the central hub, and a plurality of secondary segments defining an edge portion interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments, wherein the distal end of each primary segment is connected to at least two secondary segments; and wherein the primary and secondary segments cooperate to define a plurality of adjacent petal outline shapes supported by the stem, and a flexible filament extending through and interconnecting the main stem and the tubular segments of the head, wherein the stem is formed with sufficient strength to support the head on the upper end thereof when the stem is installed in a substrate, wherein the head comprises at least three of the primary segments interconnected by the flexible filament, distal ends of the primary segments being interconnected by secondary segments, wherein the central hub is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments are connected together, and wherein the combination of the stem and the head, including the petal outline shapes, configures the ornament as a stylized flower.
 2. The decorative floral ornament of claim 1, wherein the tubular segments are formed of a metal material.
 3. The decorative floral ornament of claim 1, wherein the tubular segments are formed of a plastic material.
 4. The decorative floral ornament of claim 1, wherein the head comprises at least five primary segments, the distal ends of which are connected by at least two secondary segments extending therebetween and arranged to define an angle.
 5. The decorative floral ornament of claim 1, wherein each of the tubular segments extends substantially in a straight line throughout its length.
 6. A decorative arrangement comprising a container, a substrate disposed in the container and a plurality of decorative floral ornaments according to claim 1 arranged with their base ends inserted in the substrate.
 7. A method of assembling an arrangement of decorative floral ornaments in a container having an opening at an upper end thereof, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a substrate inside of the container via the opening; (b) inserting a base end of the main stem of a first decorative floral ornament according to claim 1 in the substrate in a manner such that the first decorative floral ornament becomes fixed in position in relation to the container; and (c) inserting a base of the main stem of a second decorative floral ornament according to claim 1 in the substrate in a manner such that the second decorative floral ornament becomes fixed in position in relation to the container.
 8. The decorative floral ornament of claim 1, wherein, when the ornament is oriented with the main stem substantially vertical and the base of the main stem below the upper end thereof, a first one of the primary segments extends upwardly from the central hub, and a second one of the primary segments extends downwardly from the central hub.
 9. The decorative floral ornament of claim 1, wherein the petal outline shapes are arranged radially around the hub.
 10. The decorative floral ornament of claim 1, wherein all components of the head are configured be oriented along a common plane.
 11. A decorative floral ornament comprising: a main stem which is a hollow tube formed from metal or plastic, the main stem having a base end and an upper end; a head attached to the upper end of the main stem, the head formed from a plurality of interconnected tubular segments and comprising: a central hub defining a point of attachment to the main stem, a plurality of primary segments extending outwardly from the central hub, and a plurality of secondary segments defining an edge portion interconnecting distal ends of the primary segments, where the distal end of each primary segment is connected to at least two secondary segments; wherein the primary and secondary segments cooperate to define a plurality of adjacent petal outline shapes arranged radially around the hub and supported by the stem, and wherein all components of the head are configured be oriented along a common plane and a flexible filament extending through and interconnecting the main stem and the tubular segments of the head, wherein the stem is formed with sufficient strength to support the head on the upper end thereof when the stem is installed in a substrate, wherein the head comprises at least three of the primary segments interconnected by the flexible filament, distal ends of the primary segments being interconnected by secondary segments, wherein the central hub is a junction point where proximal end portions of the primary segments are connected together, and wherein the combination of the stem and the head, including the petal outline shapes, configures the ornament as a stylized flower. 